Masatada Ishii

Ishii was born in Ichihara on 1 February 1967. After graduating from Juntendo University, he joined Japan Soccer League club NTT Kanto in 1989. He played many matches from first season. He moved to Sumitomo Metal (later Kashima Antlers) in 1991. In 1992, Japan Soccer League was folded and a new league, J1 League, was founded. In 1993, the club won the 2nd place J1 League and Emperor's Cup. However he could hardly play any matches from 1996. He moved to Avispa Fukuoka in 1998. He retired at the end of the 1998 season.

Kashima Antlers

After retirement, Ishii became a coach for Kashima Antlers in 1999. He served mainly as a fitness coach for the team until 2012 where he serve as the assistant manager under Toninho Cerezo. In July 2015, manager Toninho Cerezo was sacked and Ishii replaced him as manager. He was the first Japanese manager of the club for the first time in 21 years since Masakatsu Miyamoto in 1994 (except caretaker Takashi Sekizuka in 1998 and 1999). In October, the club won the champions 2015 J.League Cup. In 2016, the club won the champions J1 League and qualify for 2016 Club World Cup. He was also elected J.League Manager of the Year. At Club World Cup, the club became the first Asian team to reach the Club World Cup final. In the final, after a 2–2 draw against European champions Real Madrid after 90 minutes, they were beaten 4–2 after extra time. However the club performance is bad in 2017, he was sacked in May 2017.

Omiya Ardija

In November in late in 2017 season, Ishii signed with Omiya Ardija (former NTT Kanto) where he began his playing career. Although he managed 3 matches, the club could not win the matches and was relegated to J2 League. He remained a manager in 2018 season and aimed to return to J1 League. However Ardija finished at 5th place in 2018 season and missed promotion to J1. He resigned at end of the 2018 season.

Samut Prakan City

On 23 December 2019, Ishii was named the head coach of Thai League 1 club Samut Prakan…

Tactic

Based on 4-4-2 formation, it is characterized by aggressive tactics that use high press and short counter to break through the center. During his time at Omiya Ardija, he made good use of Genki Omae, who had a lack of scoring ability and was unsuccessful in the previous year, leading him to the league's top scorer.

Player

Kashima Antlers

J.League: 1996 Emperor's Cup: 1997 J.League Cup: 1997

Manager

Kashima Antlers

J1 League: 2016 Emperor's Cup: 2016 J.League Cup: 2015 Japanese Super Cup: 2017 FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2016 Buriram United

Thai League 1: 2021–22, 2022–23 Thai FA Cup: 2021–22, 2022–23 Thai League Cup: 2021–22, 2022–23 Thailand Champions Cup runner-up: 2022, 2023 Thailand

King's Cup: 2024 ASEAN Championship runner-up: 2024 Individual

J.League Manager of the Year: 2016 Thai League 1 Coach of the Year: 2021–22, 2022–23 Thai League 1 Coach of the Month: December 2020, January 2022, November 2022, January 2023, February 2023